30/30 Cast Bullets with Reloader 7 Data?

[gregb]

My manual does not list data for 150 Grain Cast Bullets and Reloader 7 Powder.

I do however have 150 grain Jacketed data as follows:

Min: 27.2 grs | Max: 27.5grs (2.55 Max OAL)

Has anyone used cast 150 grain with Reloader 7? If so, what loads are you using?

Thanks in advance.

 

[just having some fun]

Checked my book no info for 150g Re7
i have been using SR 4759 for 150g cast
also Know Unique works

 

[John Y Cannuck]

You'd be safe using the jacketted load data as a test. My guess is that the 150 grain lead bullet doesn't supply enough restriction in the bore for a clean burn of the powder.
If you get a greasy black residue in the bore, and/or a lot of unburnt powder, that's the likely cause.
When using jacketted data, expect more velocity with cast. If the load burns properly, the reduced bore friction can give substantial increases. I've heard of up to 200 fps, But I've seen 100. This can mean bore leading due to velocity so watch for it.

 

[Andy]

With RL-7 I'd work in the 23.0 to 28.0 gr range with the 150gr cast.

My Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook lists a range of 22.5 to 30.0 grs of RL-7 with a 150gr cast bullet, topping out at just over 2300 fps. With the top loads you'd need a gas-checked bullet, a hard alloy, and a good lube to avoid leading, and that might not mean good accuracy or a bullet that will perform optimally on game (i.e. could be too hard).

Handloader #233 has an article on Cast Bullets in the 30/30. They provide one load with RL-7, but with a 170gr bullet - 25.0 grs for 2036 fps. Obviously that load would be safe with a 150gr bullet, and would move faster than the 170gr, and a load of 27.0 grs (same as for jacketed) would be safe too - for the reasons already mentioned by a previous poster. I don't know what alloy you're using (and you'll sure need a gas check), but I doubt that more powder will improve the accuracy and might result in leading. My experience wth RL-7 in the 30/30 is a total of all of 10 shots with a 170gr cast (Lyman 31141) with RL-7 and I used 25.0 grs for 1950 fps. I can't really comment on accuracy, but my notes stated "smoky neck", meaning that the pressure was low (at least early in the curve).

The article had lots of loads with SR-4759 with the 150gr. It's a bit faster than RL-7, and a bit better suited for the 30/30 I think, especially for the 150gr cast. Best results seem to be in the 15.0 to 20.0 gr range.